Highland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.9 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
197.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Highland, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Highland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -18% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Highland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland, California | 83.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Redlands, California | 179 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| San Bernardino, California | 166 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Loma Linda, California | 115.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Colton, California | 82 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Highland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland | 83.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Highland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Highland, California, in San Bernardino County in the San Bernardino Valley adjacent to San Bernardino city — a major Inland Empire residential community at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, part of the Redlands–Highland corridor, with significant Latino and African-American communities — draws its municipal water supply from the Bunker Hill–San Bernardino Groundwater Basin and State Water Project (SWP) imports via the East Valley Water District. Water hardness in Highland measures 83.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Highland's moderate softness — significantly softer than many Inland Empire communities — reflects the Bunker Hill Basin's substantial SWP import dilution and the local San Bernardino Mountains recharge. The Bunker Hill Basin (San Bernardino Valley's primary groundwater basin — Quaternary Santa Ana River alluvial deposits) receives: State Water Project Bay-Delta import through the Inland Empire Utilities Agency spreading grounds (soft SWP water, approximately 50–100 mg/L); and local San Bernardino Mountains recharge (Peninsular Ranges San Bernardino batholith granite — calcium-poor crystalline recharge). The soft SWP import and granitic mountain recharge produce the relatively soft 83.5 mg/L at Highland.
With hardness at 83.5 mg/L, Highland residents enjoy moderately soft water for an Inland Empire community. East Valley Water District consistently delivers water meeting all California SWRCB and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mixed groundwater from the Bunker Hill–San Bernardino Groundwater Basin and State Water Project (SWP) import via the East Valley Water District — the San Bernardino Valley Quaternary alluvial aquifer at the Santa Ana River–San Bernardino Mountains interface; moderately soft supply at 83.5 mg/L in San Bernardino County.